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Special Articles from Speeches Given at the Best of JALT awards Dinner
by Gavin Thomas and Teresa Stockwell

These articles explore disability and inclusion in Japanese education, combining personal reflection and research. Gavin Thomas shares his experience continuing to teach after an ALS diagnosis, while Teresa highlights the often-overlooked realities of educators with disabilities.


Gavin Thomas

I have extensive experience in giving presentations related to my interests.

My first was in Japan, during my time in the JET programme. In a 1995 presentation at a newcomers orientation, I presented about how to learn Japanese to 120 people! Years later, as JALT Okayama chapter president, I gave a talk on raising bilingual children.

In 2017 I was diagnosed with A.L.S. and my life was changed completely. I had spent most of my adult life teaching English to classes of vibrant young people. I used to climb mountains and hike through forests with boy scouts. I was practising Aikido at some of the highest levels of that martial art. These aspects of who I am are over now, but I have replaced them with new adventures better suited to my condition. I have found new ways to engage with the world and continue to contribute.

Thanks to speech synthesis technology and careful planning, I can still share my thoughts. I recorded 350 sentences over four months in the first year of my illness, before losing my voice. This has allowed me to say in my former voice almost anything I want to say. I make PowerPoint presentations with narration and present to university students and educators on topics related to my country, my approach to ALS, and my experiences as an educator.

My major was psychology, and I applied it every day in my teaching and presentations. I also used the principles from Robin William's book The Non-Designer’s Design Book: contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity, as a constant mantra. My background has helped me maintain a positive mindset and find meaning in this new phase of life. Life continues as long as you have the will to live and people willing to help you find the best life you can still lead. 

It is a great honour to receive the Best of JALT award this year. I thank my colleagues in JALT for giving me a platform to share my message.

Teresa Stockwell

 
I never expected that joining JALT would change the direction of my life so profoundly. In fact, I did not join JALT until 2024, and only because I needed to in order to co-present with my friend and colleague, Gavin Thomas, at JALT International. I had no idea that one presentation would open such an important door.

I met Gavin years ago, and over time I came to understand the depth of his experience, his resilience, and his commitment to education. Life changed for him when he received his ALS diagnosis, but he did not withdraw. Instead, he gathered people around him, advocated for himself and others, and found new ways to continue the work he cared about. Despite losing his job, he never stopped being an educator. His outlook, work ethic, and dedication to his life’s work are genuinely inspiring.

I originally began collecting stories from teachers with disabilities as a small project to supplement Gavin’s narrative for our JALT presentation. But very quickly, I realized how little attention is given to teachers with disabilities in Japan. It became clear to me that when discussing inclusion in education, it must extend beyond the students.

With the encouragement and support from many people, and with the opportunities JALT provides for meaningful academic exchange, a small project has grown into something that feels deeply important. Since those initial steps, I have had the privilege of speaking with many educators who have stories to tell. I received a JALT Research Grant for 2026 to expand this work, allowing me to develop more materials and pursue this topic in more depth. It is no exaggeration to say that both Gavin and JALT changed the course of my career.

Receiving the Best of JALT award this year feels especially meaningful because it recognizes not only our collaboration but also the importance of bringing educators with disabilities into conversations about inclusion. I am grateful to Gavin for trusting me with his story, and grateful to JALT for giving us a platform to share our message and develop work that has the potential to contribute to a more inclusive future.